Come & See Inspirations

On this weeks podcast John and Shane head across the Atlantic (virtually!) to meet Paul Lang in Halifax Nova Scotia to learn about Divine Renovation which is a Catholic ministry dedicated to parish renewal. They accompany priests and lay leaders who desire to see their parish come alive by providing them with the tools and coaching they need "to lead their parish from maintenance to mission".The three keys which DR uses to help parishes come alive are based on the original experiences and work of Fr James Mallon which he set out in his book "Divine Renovation are:The primacy of evangelisationThe best of leadershipThe power of the Holy SpiritPaul takes us through each of the three keys and shares how they work and accompany priests who want to learn to enable renewal in their parishes by unlocking the gifts and abilities of all the baptised. Divine Renovations website3 Keys to Unlocking your parish study guide

Over the last few years Limerick diocese has made efforts to support Pastoral Lay Ministries in the diocese which we have shared previously on the podcast. On this weeks programme we are catch up with Pat Higgins from Athea parish who was one of the lay pastoral workers commissioned at the Chrism Mass on April 5th 2023 at St John's Cathedral. Pat shares his experience of discerning the process of applying for the 2 year course and the work ahead as he enters into his formal ministry in the diocese.We have our regular run through the celestial guides for the coming week and of course a reflection on the Sunday  gospel (Matthew 9:36-10:8). 

Over the last few years Limerick diocese has made efforts to support Pastoral Lay Ministries in the diocese which we have shared previously on the podcast. On this weeks programme we are catch up with Pat Higgins from Athea parish who was one of the lay pastoral workers commissioned at the Chrism Mass on April 5th 2023 at St John's Cathedral. Pat shares his experience of discerning the process of applying for the 2 year course and the work ahead as he enters into his formal ministry in the diocese.

On  this weeks podcast we are delighted to welcome on Fr Chris O'Donnell SAC, originally from Templeglantine  Co. Limerick, who is currently on leave home from Argentina where he has been working as a missionary priest for 47 years. He shares with us his vocation  story and his work in Argentina since 1976. We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends for the week ahead and of course our thoughts and reflections on this weeks Sunday Gospel (John 6:51-58) which is the gospel for the feast of Corpus Christi.Vocation Stories - Fr Chris O'Donnell SACFr Chris O'Donnell SAC, originally from Templeglantine  Co. Limerick, who has been working as a priest in Argentina for 47 years. He shares with us his vocation  story to the Pallottine Order and his work in Argentina since 1976. He shares with us the challenges of the first few years which were hazardous as the military junta were in power and security was strictly controlled. Priests and religious were included in daily moments of bein

On  this weeks podcast we are delighted to welcome on Fr Chris O'Donnell SAC, originally from Templeglantine  Co. Limerick, who is currently on leave home from Argentina where he has been working as a missionary priest for 47 years. He shares with us his vocation  story and his work in Argentina since 1976. He shares with us the challenges of the first few years which were hazardous as the military junta were in power and security was strictly controlled. Priests and religious were included in daily moments of being closely watched. Fr Chris shares moments of close encounters with the military as well as lovely memories  with his parishioners. He describes the enthusiasm of the laity to becoming involved with the liturgy including those working as lay catechists, He shares his hopes that the synod process will produce more opportunities for the laity to become more involved with parish life.      

On this weeks programme, we dip back into the podcast archive in 2014 to a podcast where John is out and about as a roving correspondent and brings us a programme he recorded during the summer of 2014 in France at the shrine of Paray le Monial. For many people this Burgundian shrine of course is closely associated with the devotion to the Sacred Heart as it was in Visitation convent of Paray-le-Monial where St Margaret Mary Alacoque received the visions of the Sacred Heart. The devotion to the Sacred heart is a favourite devotion among many in West Limerick and of course the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. John is joined by Philip Milligan to discuss the history and devotion at the shrine.Church Pop - Visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: 4 Mystical Messages to St. Margaret Mary AlacoqueIn addition we have our run through the saints of the week and of course our reflection on the Sunday gospel (John 3:16-18 ) for the feast of the Holy Trinity.We also have a brief chat about the story of Sr Wil

On this weeks programme, we dip back into the podcast archive in 2014 to a podcast where John is out and about as a roving correspondent and brings us a programme he recorded during the summer of 2014 in France at the shrine of Paray le Monial. For many people this Burgundian shrine of course is closely associated with the devotion to the Sacred Heart as it was in Visitation convent of Paray-le-Monial where St Margaret Mary Alacoque received the visions of the Sacred Heart. The devotion to the Sacred heart is a favourite devotion among many in West Limerick and of course the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. John is joined by Philip Milligan to discuss the history and devotion at the shrine.Church Pop - Visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: 4 Mystical Messages to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

On this weeks podcast we are delighted to welcome back Martina Leehane Sheehan back to talk to John and Shane about the deep personal meaning Pentecost has for her. We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends of the week and of course our reflection on the Sunday Gospel - the last one of the Easter Season!Reflecting on PentecostMartina shares with us how the feast of Pentecost is interwoven in her life's experience and especially after the last 18 months and the death of her husband Pat. She also extends invitation on behalf of the Ruah Community to a creative afternoon retreat (a free event) on 28th May (2.30p.m. - 6.30p.m) at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork city. ​The retreat will interweave music meditation, poetry, scripture and ritual.Dear Friends,It is fitting that this retreat would be celebrated on the feast of Pentecost, the day on which ‘Ruah’ (meaning breath and spirit), was first launched by Martina and her husband Pat some years ago.This unique experience offers connection

On this weeks podcast we are delighted to welcome back Martina Leehane Sheehan back to talk to John and Shane about the deep personal meaning Pentecost has for her.Martina shares with us how the feast of Pentecost is interwoven in her life's experience and especially after the last 18 months and the death of her husband Pat.She also extends invitation on behalf of the Ruah Community to a creative afternoon retreat (a free event) on 28th May (2.30p.m. - 6.30p.m) at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork city. ​The retreat will interweave music meditation, poetry, scripture and ritual.Dear Friends,It is fitting that this retreat would be celebrated on the feast of Pentecost, the day on which ‘Ruah’ (meaning breath and spirit), was first launched by Martina and her husband Pat some years ago.This unique experience offers connection to anyone who knows what it is to have wrestled with broken dreams, shaken faith and yet seek to rise again.The retreat will harness learnings and legacies from the journey of Pat &am

"God goes up with shouts of joy,the Lord goes up with trumpet blast"On the Irish liturgical calendar this weekend, the Solemnity of the Lord's Ascension has been transferred to the Sunday, so on this weeks podcast John and Shane are joined by Fr Frank Duhig in part two for an extended reflection on the Sunday gospel (Matthew 28:16-20). We have our regular run through liturgical odds and ends as well as some local notices. 

On this weeks podcast John and Shane are joined by Sr Mara Rose OP who is the Vocations Director for the diocese of Limerick to speak about the work of promoting vocations and also the year for vocations for the diocesan priesthood which was launched two weeks ago. With the theme "Taking the risk for Christ" Sr Mara Rose OP tells us about the Year of Vocations and how the year hopes to start conversations within families, with priests and in parish communities on the beauty of the vocation of priesthood.  Feedback from newly ordained priests indicates a strong correlation between their calling and encouragement received from a priest about their ministry, in other words taking the risk for Christ.Events during the year are available HERE. Sr Mara Rose OP can be contacted at vocations@limerickdiocese.orgVocations information on the diocesan website HERE.Vocations Ireland website

On this weeks podcast John and Shane are joined by Sr Mara Rose OP who is the Vocations Director for the diocese of Limerick to speak about the work of promoting vocations and also the year for vocations for the diocesan priesthood which was launched two weeks ago. With the theme "Taking the risk for Christ" Sr Mara Rose OP tells us about the Year of Vocations and how the year hopes to start conversations within families, with priests and in parish communities on the beauty of the vocation of priesthood.  Feedback from newly ordained priests indicates a strong correlation between their calling and encouragement received from a priest about their ministry, in other words taking the risk for Christ.Events during the year are available HERE. Sr Mara Rose OP can be contacted at vocations@limerickdiocese.orgVocations information on the diocesan website HERE.Vocations Ireland websiteSr Mara Rose OP joins us for our weekly reflection on this weeks Sunday gospel where we reflect on the continuing readings f

On this weeks podcast John and Shane take a spin around the world highlighting some stories from the global faith community which caught our eye and which we thought we would share with our listeners.Nicaragua - Catholic bishop’s 26-year prison sentence in Nicaragua draws concern from PopeVenuzuala - Divine Mercy, under a Venezuelan sunSouth Korea - Church grows as South Korea's population shrinksHong Kong - China installs new bishop in Shanghai, despite local oppositionHong Kong - Dialogue with the state ‘not about kowtowing’, says HK bishopNetherlands - Finding God in the NetherlandsWe have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends for the coming week and of course a reflection on the Sunday gospel for 5th Sunday of Easter (John 14:1-12)."Do not let your hearts be troubled, Trust in God in still, and trust in me".NoticesThe Ruah Community with Martina Leehane Sheehan invite you to a creative afternoon retreat (a free event) on  SUNDAY 28TH MAY (Pentecost) 2.30p.m. - 6.30p.m.VENUE: 

The fourth Sunday of Easter is know as Good Shepherd Sunday and is dedicated to prayer for vocations. Vocations Sunday was instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1964. Pope Francis reminds us :'Vocation is today. The Christian mission is now. We should not wait to be perfect in order to respond with our generous 'yes', nor be fearful of our limitations and sin but instead open our hearts to the voice of the Lord. It is a beautiful and a great grace yo be completely and forever consecrated to the Lord.'On this weeks podcast we re-share an interview we did in 2012 where Fr Chris reminds us of the need to find space to be able to figure out what it is we are all individually being called to. We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends for the coming week and of course our reflection on this weeks Sunday gospel (John 10:1-10).

The fourth Sunday of Easter is know as Good Shepherd Sunday and is dedicated to prayer for vocations. Vocations Sunday was instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1964. Pope Francis reminds us :'Vocation is today. The Christian mission is now. We should not wait to be perfect in order to respond with our generous 'yes', nor be fearful of our limitations and sin but instead open our hearts to the voice of the Lord. It is a beautiful and a great grace yo be completely and forever consecrated to the Lord.'On this weeks podcast we re-share an interview we did in 2012 where Fr Chris reminds us of the need to find space to be able to figure out what it is we are all individually being called to. 

On this weeks podcast John and Shane sit down virtually with Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick to catch up on a few things including his thoughts on the contribution of the late Pope Benedict XVI, where things are at with the Irish Synodal Pathway, the current pastoral situation in the diocese and the hard choices we face in the next 3 to 5 years and the issue of vocations to the priesthood. 

On this weeks podcast John and Shane sit down virtually with Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick to catch up on a few things including his thoughts on the contribution of the late Pope Benedict XVI, where things are at with the Irish Synodal Pathway, the current pastoral situation in the diocese and the hard choices we face in the next 3 to 5 years and the issue of vocations to the priesthood. We have  our regular run through all things liturgical for the coming week as well as a reflection on this Sunday's gospel which is Luke's account of the Road to Emmaus. 

As we come to the end of the Easter Octave this week, we dip into the archive and share an interview with week from 2016 with Don Devaney and Michael Keating who share their thoughts and reflections about Divine Mercy Sunday.Divine Mercy SundayJohn and Michael have an interview with Don Devaney who share their thoughts and reflections about Divine Mercy Sunday.Pope John Paul II introduced Divine Mercy Sunday following on the private revelation to the Polish nun St Faustina. Many Catholics gather in churches throughout the world today at 3pm to partake in the Divine Mercy Chaplet, veneration of the image of Divine Mercy, confessions, Mass etc.The Feast of Divine Mercy, celebrated on the Octave of Easter (the Sunday after Easter Sunday), is a relatively new addition to the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. Celebrating the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Christ himself to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, this feast was extended to the entire Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000, th

As we come to the end of the Easter Octave this week, we dip into the archive and share an interview with week from 2016 with Don Devaney and Michael Keating who share their thoughts and reflections about Divine Mercy Sunday. We have our regular run through the liturgical odds & ends of the coming week plus our reflection on this weeks gospel for John 20:19-31Divine Mercy SundayJohn and Michael have an interview with Don Devaney who share their thoughts and reflections about Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope John Paul II introduced Divine Mercy Sunday following on the private revelation to the Polish nun St Faustina. Many Catholics gather in churches throughout the world today at 3pm to partake in the Divine Mercy Chaplet, veneration of the image of Divine Mercy, confessions, Mass etc.The Feast of Divine Mercy, celebrated on the Octave of Easter (the Sunday after Easter Sunday), is a relatively new addition to the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. Celebrating the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Chr

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA !!!! CHRISTUS RESURREXIT, RESURREXIT VERES ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!! CHRIST IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!"Let everyone share this feast of faith; let everyone enjoy the riches of goodness. Let none lament their poverty; for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let none mourn their sins; for forgiveness has dawned from the grave. Let none fear death; for the Saviour's death has set us free"- St John ChrysostomOn this Easter Day, every blessing from the C&SI team to you and yours!On this weeks podcast we are joined by Noirin Lynch with a lovely gentle reflection in part two of the podcast on Easter joy! Take your time to listen.